Real Madrid News
Report – The two ‘finalist’ candidates to replace Alvaro Arbeloa at Real Madrid
Florentino Perez has taken a personal interest and responsibility in the selection of Real Madrid’s next manager, and it is clear that the president understands how much rides on the appointment.
After two consecutive seasons without major trophies, Los Blancos are in a state of introspection and there is a sense of understanding that a strong managerial presence is needed to keep the squad in line.
Experienced profiles, thus, are being identified with the club eyeing the likes of Didier Deschamps, Lionel Scaloni, Jurgen Klopp and even Jose Mourinho in recent days.
The two finalists
As relayed in a recent report by El Chiringuito, Real Madrid have now narrowed it down largely to two ‘finalist’ candidates and a decision will be made between the two selected names in the coming weeks.
The first name who is well poised to take over is none other than Jose Mourinho, the legendary Real Madrid manager who helped bring the team on competitive terms with Pep Guardiola’s dominant Barcelona.
He has, in fact, been widely linked with the club in recent hours and it has even been reported that there will not be any complications in reaching an agreement with him.
Currently at Benfica, he had his disagreements with the Real Madrid dressing room earlier this season and it will be interesting to see how the players get along with him should he arrive.
The second ‘finalist’, as it stands, is Jurgen Klopp but his availability still continues to be a matter of doubt. After all, he is on a hiatus from coaching and it remains unclear if he is willing to return to the job in June.
Didier Deschamps is indeed another candidate as confirmed by the Spanish outlet, but his chances are significantly less than the aforementioned duo. As it stands, however, Real Madrid have not made any direct contacts with any of them.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid academy strategy pays off with €210m windfall and 34 Spain internationals – report
Real Madrid’s academy has been a huge success story in recent seasons, even if not many players have found a place in the first team.
Los Blancos have used Castilla as one of the main sources of revenue to fund their first team, and the value of the academy has continued to increase.
According to AS, Madrid generated €210 million from academy-related player operations during the summer.
Meanwhile, 34 players developed at the club have represented Spain across the different men’s national-team age groups during the current international period.
Valdebebas producing players at every level
That international presence stretches from the senior Spain squad, featuring academy products Ivan Fresneda, Victor Munoz and Fran Garcia, all the way down to the Under-16s.
The results at academy level have also been impressive, with Madrid securing the league, Champions Cup, Youth League and Intercontinental Cup.
Behind those results is a structure involving around 300 players, 50 coaches and 40 scouts, with academy director Manuel Fernandez overseeing the project.
The objective is not simply to build youth teams capable of winning trophies. Madrid want players with genuine elite potential.
Some, such as Raul Asencio and Thiago Pitarch, can eventually help the first team. Others can develop into valuable assets sought by clubs across Europe’s top leagues.
€210 million demonstrates the financial value
The financial pathway has become increasingly important.
Madrid’s €210 million return was driven by several major operations, including €60 million from Como for Nico Paz and €40 million from Fulham for Gonzalo Garcia.
Victor Munoz, Mario Gila, Alvaro Rodriguez, Alex Jimenez, Palacios and Jacobo were among the other academy products whose moves exceeded €10 million.
Crucially, most of that €210 million came from footballers who never held a permanent first-team squad place.
La Fabrica does not need every player to become a starter
The strongest argument for Madrid’s model is that an academy cannot realistically produce a first-team starter every season when the senior squad is already at such a high level.
Judging La Fabrica only by how many youngsters establish themselves at the Bernabeu therefore misses much of its value.
Madrid are creating several successful outcomes instead: first-team players, internationals and valuable footballers who generate significant transfer income.
Thirty-four Spain representatives and €210 million in one summer tell you that the proof is in the pudding.
Madrid will hope their academy can continue to be as productive in the coming years, and it remains to be seen how things play out.
